6 percent of Stockton police on leave after chase, shootout

Friday

Jul 18, 2014 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - More than 20 Stockton police officers were placed on paid administrative leave Thursday, one day after heavily armed gunmen unleashed one of the most ruthless assaults ever carried out against San Joaquin County law enforcement officials, Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones said.

Jason Anderson

STOCKTON - More than 20 Stockton police officers were placed on paid administrative leave Thursday, one day after heavily armed gunmen unleashed one of the most ruthless assaults ever carried out against San Joaquin County law enforcement officials, Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones said.

The officers were placed on leave after engaging in a fierce gunbattle with bank robbery suspects Wednesday, which is standard procedure when officers discharge their weapons, Jones said. Hundreds of shots were fired, and 14 police vehicles were struck by gunfire in the shootout, which killed two suspects and one hostage, authorities said.

The number of officers placed on leave represents at least six percent of Stockton's 358 sworn police officers. Jones said their absences will not prevent police from adequately serving the community while authorities conduct a multiagency protocol investigation into the shooting.

"It's a strain for the department, but we're still able to give Stockton public safety services," he said. "We've called in off-duty officers. We have people working overtime. Other agencies have offered assistance. If we have to go into that mode, we're ready and prepared to do that, so we do have public safety covered."

Jones revealed additional details of the hourlong high-speed pursuit and the ensuing gunbattle near a north Stockton neighborhood Thursday during a news conference at the police station. He identified the lone surviving suspect as 19-year-old Jaime Ramos, detailed the weapons used in the shootout, and discussed his officers' decision to open fire on a vehicle with a hostage inside.

The pursuit began when three armed men exited a Bank of the West on Thornton Road with three female hostages and fled in a blue Ford Explorer belonging to one of the women.

During the pursuit, the gunmen continuously fired at officers, primarily with an AK-47 assault rifle, and officers periodically returned fire, Jones said. In addition to the AK-47, three handguns were located inside the vehicle, Jones said.

Two women, one of whom was shot in the leg, either jumped or were thrown from the vehicle during the chase, Jones said.

Authorities released photographs Thursday showing a number of police vehicles that had been struck by gunfire, including a marked patrol car that had a bullet hole in the windshield.

"In my over two decades of law enforcement, I have never seen or experienced this type of total disregard for human life nor the intensity of the situation that our officers were faced with," Jones said. "It is very rare for bank robbers to take hostages. It is very rare for them to so heavily arm themselves and prepare to kill, and then to actively and continually try to kill our police officers.

"It is, frankly, amazing that none of our police officers were hit. We're talking within inches in some cases."

Jones said the gunmen had "massive" amounts of ammunition, some with magazines taped or strapped to their bodies. He said their actions were "deplorable" and "beyond comprehension."

"Our officers were in constant danger but continued to pursue because they had a duty to not allow the suspects to get away due to the risks to the hostages, but also the fear that additional hostages could be taken or killed, or additional businesses or homes could be taken over by these very violent assailants."

Dozens of police cars chased the SUV north on Highway 99 to Acampo before the suspects circled back to Stockton, crossed over to Interstate 5 and made their way to Thornton Road and Otto Drive, where the deadly gunbattle took place. One suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, and another died later at a hospital, police said.

Authorities have not identified the two dead suspects, but both were documented Norteņo gang members, Jones said. One was a 30-year-old man who had prior arrests for narcotics and firearms violations, Jones said. The other was a 27-year-old man with prior arrests for narcotics and domestic violence, Jones said.

Ramos, the third suspect, was not shot in the gunfight, as previously believed, Jones said. Investigators have determined that he used the third hostage, identified by relatives as Misty Holt-Singh, a 1990 Franklin High School graduate, as a human shield during the shootout, Jones said.

Ramos was taken into custody at the scene and led to a patrol car to a smattering of applause from neighborhood residents. Ramos was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder of a peace officer, robbery and kidnapping, authorities said.

Ramos is being held without bail at the San Joaquin County Jail, officials said. He is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to jail records.

Holt-Singh, a wife and mother of two who worked in a Stockton dental office, was also found dead inside the vehicle, authorities said.

"We do not yet know exactly when she was killed or struck by gunfire, nor do we know by whom," Jones said. "The investigation will reveal that over time."

Jones again expressed his condolences to Holt-Singh's family, but he didn't equivocate when asked why officers fired upon the vehicle knowing there was a hostage inside.

"The basic protocol for an officer firing their weapon is in defense of their own life and in defense of others," Jones said. "Now, we have to remember that, although there were hostages inside the vehicle, these suspects at some point had to be stopped because of the fear of the continued attempted killing of police officers and others."

Contact reporter Jason Anderson at (209) 546-8279 or janderson@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/crimeblog and on Twitter @Stockton911.

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